Ware-washer over-shelf

ABSTRACT

A ware-washer includes a cabinet assembly. An over-shelf includes opposing side supports extending from the over-shelf. A translation mechanism is operably coupled to the side supports and the cabinet assembly and allows the over-shelf to be moved from a storage position to a maintenance position.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to commercial ware-washers andparticularly to small footprint ware-washers.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

In certain commercial settings, particularly for Quick Serve Restaurant(QSR) installations, ware-washers are becoming more common or evenmandated by local health codes. Floor space in QSRs is typically verylimited, especially in QSRs that were not originally designed toaccommodate a ware-washer. The typical QSR ware-washer has a singlefront door that pivots down to create a table-top onto which adish/glass rack is pushed and pulled to and from the ware-washer. Thereis typically no storage space for the rack when not in use or space fora second rack when in use.

It is known to store racks on inclined shelves attached to a wall;however, this requires free wall space to accommodate the shelf and alsorequires installation by a carpenter or other skilled technician.

There is a need to provide a ware-washer to a user, especially a userretrofitting a ware-washer into an existing facility, that provides rackstorage without the need for additional installation costs and taking upminimal facility space, such that the rack storage does not interferewith the operation and maintenance of the ware-washer.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective of an example over-shelf attached to aware-washer in a storage position;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective of an example over-shelf in amaintenance position;

FIG. 3 is a partial side perspective of an example over-shelf with adrain assembly;

FIGS. 4 and 4A are elevations of another example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms;

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing a still further example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms;

FIG. 6 is an elevation showing yet another example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms;

FIG. 7 is an elevation showing another example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms;

FIG. 8 is an elevation showing another example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms; and

FIG. 9 is an elevation showing still another example over-shelf andtranslation mechanisms.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example ware-washer 10 including a cabinet assembly 12.An over-shelf 14, including opposing side supports 16 extending from theover-shelf 14. A translation mechanism, shown generally at 18, isoperably coupled to the side supports 16 and the cabinet assembly 12.The translation mechanism 18 allows the over-shelf 14 to be moved from astorage position (shown in FIG. 1) to a maintenance position (shown inFIGS. 2 and 3).

The ware-washer 10 typically also includes a control system assembly 20and fresh water plumbing assembly 22 mounted on a top surface 24 of thecabinet assembly 12. The side supports 16 must be long enough to holdover-shelf 14 and high enough to freely move with respect to theassemblies 20, 22.

The over-shelf 14 may include one or more raised sides 26 along aperiphery of the over-shelf, as shown. The raised sides 26 help containa dish rack 28 on over-shelf 14 during storage. Dish rack 28 is forholding glasses to be washed by the ware-washer 10, although other racksmay be used, such as rack 30, shown partially within cabinet assembly 12and partially on a door 32 of cabinet assembly 12.

An angled lower edge 34 positions the over-shelf 14 in the storageposition, at a convenient angle and height for removing racks 28, 30from and placing racks 28, 30 on over-shelf 14. The angle 36 formedrelative to the lower edge 34 depends on the design specification but ithas been found that a convenient storage angle is about 30 degrees.

The translation mechanism 18 may be of any known construction thatallows the over-shelf 14 to be moved from the storage position to themaintenance position. In the example of FIG. 1, the translationmechanism includes rotation assemblies 38 (an identical assembly 38, notshown, is attached to the opposing side of the cabinet assembly 12)operably coupled to the cabinet assembly 12, by bolts 40, and to theside supports 16, via spindles 42, allowing the over-shelf to be rotatedfrom the storage position to the maintenance position. The rotationassemblies 38, attached to the cabinet assembly 12 and the side supports16, allow the rotation assemblies 38 to cooperate with the side supports16 to rotate the over-shelf 14 from the storage position to themaintenance position. In the example of FIG. 1, the rotation assemblies38 include a pair of rotation brackets 44. The rotation brackets 44, mayinclude structure forming a rotation hole (not shown) in each bracket44, wherein one of the brackets 44 is attached to each cabinet assembly12 opposing side surface 46 such that the bracket rotation holes arepositioned above the cabinet assembly top surface 24. The over-shelf 14may include a pair of opposing side supports 16 extending from theover-shelf. Each side support 16 may include structure forming arotation hole (not shown) adjacent a side support lower end (not shown,but generally behind brackets 44). The bracket rotation holes align withthe side support rotation holes and a pair of spindles 42 are heldwithin the aligned rotation holes, such that the over-shelf 14 isrotatable from the storage position to the maintenance position.

An angled lower edge 48 allows the over-shelf 14 to be moved to themaintenance position, at a convenient angle and height, such that theover-shelf 14 does not interfere with maintenance of control systemassembly 20. The angle 50 formed relative to the lower edge 48 dependson the design specification but it has been found that a convenientmaintenance angle is about 12 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2, translation mechanism 18 ensures the over-shelf 14and side supports 16 are moved out-of-the-way, allowing control systemassembly 20 to be worked on, in the maintenance position shown.Conveniently, the rotation/pivot position of the spindles 42 relative tothe side supports 16 and the cabinet assembly sides 46 allows theover-shelf to be moved up, above the control system assembly 20 and backaway from the front of the control system assembly 20.

Raised sides 26 also allow liquid draining from racks 28, 30 to becollected and directed towards a drain assembly 52, especially when inthe storage position. For example drain assembly 52 operably attached toover-shelf 14, is best seen in the side view of FIG. 3. Drain assembly52 may include a nipple (not shown) formed in over-shelf 14, over whichis fitted a drain hose 54. Drain hose 54 is then directed to anappropriate location such as a scrap trap 56, as shown. Further, drainassembly 52 may include a band clamp 58 to secure hose 54 to the nipple,and tabs 60 for routing hose 54 and attaching the hose 54 to theware-washer 10, as shown.

A retrofit kit for mounting an over-shelf to an installed ware-washer 10may include the over-shelf 14, opposing side supports 16 for attachmentto opposing sides of the over-shelf 14, a plurality of translationmechanisms 18 for operable attachment to the side supports 16 and/or theware-washer 10, and attachment hardware for attaching the side supports16 to the over-shelf 14 and for attaching the translation mechanisms 18to the side supports 16 and/or the ware-washer 10. The retrofit kit mayconveniently be in a deconstructed state, so that the retrofit kit maybe transported in a flat, compact manner for economical shipping to theware-washer site. The retrofit kit may also include the components ofthe drain assembly 52.

In most of the examples above and those described below, only a singleside of the ware-washer and only one of a pair of support sides andtranslation mechanisms are shown, for convenience and ease ofunderstanding. It is noted that the examples shown include identicalsupport sides and/or translation mechanism on the opposing side of theware-washer 10 that is not shown.

FIGS. 4 through 9 disclose several examples of side supports andtranslation mechanisms. Control system assemblies and fresh waterassemblies have not been shown for simplicity. In FIGS. 4 and 4A, theside supports are a pair of legs 62 and the translation assemblyincludes a rotation assembly of spindles 42 and brackets 64. Thetranslation assembly further includes at least a pair of rotation stops66, 68 connected to either the legs 62 or the cabinet assembly 12, asshown. As shown in FIG. 4A, the translation assembly may include a pairof rotation stops 66, 68 for each pair of legs 62.

FIG. 5 shows an example where the side supports include a pair ofrotatable legs 70 on either side of over-shelf 14 and the translationassembly, shown generally at 72, includes a rotation assembly 74 thatfurther includes at least one arcuate slotted bracket 76 with a bolt 78held within the slot 80 and a wing-nut 82 threaded onto the bolt 78 forallowing the over-shelf 14 to rotate when the wing-nut 82 is loosened onthe bolt 78 and for holding the over-shelf 14 in a position when thewing-nut 82 is tightened on the bolt 78. The translation assembly 72rotates about spindle 42 mounted within legs 70 and brackets 71 whilerotation assemblies 74 allow the over-shelf to be set at a desiredposition and the length of slot 80 limits the amount over-shelf 14 maybe rotated.

The translation mechanism of FIG. 6, includes a slider assembly 84operably coupled to the cabinet assembly top surface 24 and to the sidesupports 86, 88, allowing the over-shelf 14 to slide from the storageposition shown to the maintenance position. The slide assembly mayinclude slick skid plates 90 and slider feet 92. Dashed line 94 mayrepresent a track or channel in which plates 90 and 92 are held,allowing over-shelf to be slid back and forth along plates 90, as shownby the double-arrowhead. In addition, stops 96, 98 may stop and/orcapture feet 92 to hold over-shelf 14 in the storage or maintenancepositions.

FIG. 7 shows an example translation mechanism 100 that includes at leasta pair of telescoping legs 102 forming at least a part of the sidesupports and when the telescoping legs are extended, the over-shelf 14is lifted, rotated, or lifted and rotated from the storage position tothe maintenance position. In the FIG. 7 example, translation mechanism100 further includes rotation mechanisms 104 attached to side supportlegs 106. Further translation mechanism may include pivot mechanisms108, 110 on opposing ends of telescoping legs 102 and attached toover-shelf 14 and top surface 24, respectively. Telescoping legs 102 maybe pneumatic, or use detents (not shown), or use any other known way oflocking/unlocking telescopic movement.

FIG. 8 shows an example translation mechanism 112 that includes rollerbars 114 allowing the side supports 116, 118 to roll from the storageposition shown to the maintenance position, as shown by thedouble-arrowhead. The dashed line 120 may represent a housing or trackcontaining the distal ends 122, 124 of side supports 116, 118 and theroller bars 114 for guiding the distal ends 122, 124 along the rollerbars 114.

FIG. 9 is an example where each of the side supports includes a pair oflegs 126, 128 and at least one wheel 130, 132 is operably coupledadjacent a side support end, as shown. The translation mechanism 134includes a track or slot 136 for guiding the side support wheels 130,132 as the over-shelf 14 is rolled from the storage position shown, tothe maintenance position. The stops 138, 140 limit the travel ofover-shelf between the storage position and the maintenance position andmay also include structure for capturing and holding the wheels 130, 132in the desire position.

The ware-washer 10, including cabinet assembly 12, over-shelf 14, andside supports 16 may be made from stainless steel or any other suitablematerial that will reliably withstand the rigors experienced by acommercial ware-washer.

The examples disclosed above provide a user with desirable andconvenient dish rack storage for ware-washers placed in facilities withlittle or no storage space while also ensuring that the dish rackstorage does not interfere with the operation and maintenance of theware-washer, especially the control system assembly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ware-washer comprising: a ware-washer including a cabinet assembly; an over-shelf including opposing side supports extending from the over-shelf; a translation mechanism operably coupled to the side supports and the cabinet assembly, wherein the translation mechanism allows the over-shelf to be moved from a storage position to a maintenance position.
 2. The ware-washer of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism includes a rotation assembly operably coupled to the cabinet assembly and to the side supports, allowing the over-shelf to be rotated from the storage position to the maintenance position.
 3. The ware-washer of claim 2, wherein the side supports are a pair of legs and the rotation assembly further includes at least a pair of rotation stops connected to either the legs or the cabinet assembly.
 4. The ware-washer of claim 2, wherein the rotation assembly further includes at least one arcuate slotted bracket with a bolt held within the slot and a wing-nut threaded onto the bolt for allowing the over-shelf to rotate when the wing-nut is loosened on the bolt and for holding the over-shelf in a position when the wing-nut is tightened on the bolt.
 5. The ware-washer of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism includes a slider assembly operably coupled to the cabinet assembly and to the side supports, allowing the over-shelf to slide from the storage position to the maintenance position.
 6. The ware-washer of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism includes at least a pair of telescoping legs forming at least a part of the side supports and when the telescoping legs are extended, the over-shelf is lifted, rotated, or lifted and rotated from the storage position to the maintenance position.
 7. The ware-washer of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism includes roller bars allowing the side supports to roll from the storage position to the maintenance position.
 8. The ware-washer of claim 1, wherein each of the side supports includes at least one wheel operably coupled adjacent a side support end and the translation mechanism includes a track or slot for guiding the side support wheels as the over-shelf is rolled from the storage position to the maintenance position.
 9. The ware-washer of claim 1, further including one or more raised sides along a periphery of the over-shelf.
 10. The ware-washer of claim 9, further including a drain assembly operably attached to the over-shelf.
 11. A ware-washer comprising: a ware-washer including a cabinet assembly having a top surface and opposing side surfaces; a pair of rotation brackets, including structure forming a rotation hole in each bracket, wherein one of the brackets is attached to each cabinet assembly side surface such that the bracket rotation holes are positioned above the cabinet assembly top surface; an over-shelf including a pair of opposing side supports extending from the over-shelf, each side support including structure forming a rotation hole adjacent a side support lower end; wherein the bracket rotation holes align with the side support rotation holes; and a pair of spindles held within the aligned rotation holes, such that the over-shelf is rotatable from a storage position to a maintenance position.
 12. A ware-washer comprising: a ware-washer including a cabinet assembly having a top surface and opposing side surfaces; an over-shelf including opposing side supports extending from the over-shelf; rotation assemblies attached to the cabinet assembly and the side supports, such that the rotation assemblies cooperate with the side supports to rotate the over-shelf from a storage position to a maintenance position.
 12. An over-shelf kit for a ware-washer comprising: an over-shelf; opposing side supports for attachment to opposing sides of the over-shelf; a plurality of translation mechanisms for operable attachment to the side supports and/or the ware-washer; and attachment hardware for attaching the translation mechanisms to the side supports and/or the ware-washer.
 14. The over-shelf kit of claim 13 further including components for a drain assembly. 